The state cattlemen’s association is helping local authorities with an investigation into the theft of nearly 50 head of cattle by offering a reward, officials said. Billy Powell, president of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, said his group is offering $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the recent cattle thefts.Meanwhile, local authorities said they have some promising leads into who is responsible for the thefts. “We have made progress and have some information that we are following up on to try and develop into leads,” said Monty Merryman, an agent with the Agricultural and Rural Crimes Unit, a division of the Alabama State Law Enforcement Agency. Merryman is working with investigators from the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff’s investigator Thomas McCluskey said since May 14, there have been at least four reports of stolen cattle filed with the Sheriff’s Department. Chief Deputy Jr. Witt said all of the reports have come from the western part of Lauderdale County, ranging from Central to Waterloo. According to the reports, 11 cows were reported stolen from a pasture on Lauderdale 90 in Waterloo, six from one on Lauderdale 2, seven from a pasture on Waterloo Road and about 30 from a pasture on Lauderdale 100 in the Murphy’s Chapel community earlier this week. Merryman said he has met with some of the owners and visited one of the farms. In the latest theft, June 2 at the farm on Lauderdale 100, rustlers used two trailers to take cows and calves from the property. More....